SENATE RESOLUTION 297--COMMENDING THE INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION (IAF) ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY FOR ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL...; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 130
(Senate - July 31, 2019)
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[Pages S5257-S5258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 297--COMMENDING THE INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION (IAF)
ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY FOR ITS SIGNIFICANT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT OF THE AMERICAS
Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Cruz, and Mr.
Kaine) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations:
S. Res. 297
Whereas December 30, 2019, marks the 50th anniversary of
the establishment of the Inter-American Foundation (referred
to in this preamble as the ``IAF''), an independent Federal
agency in the United States that prioritizes sustainable,
community-led development across Latin America and the
Caribbean;
Whereas the IAF was created under section 401 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1969 (22 U.S.C. 290f) ``to achieve
conditions in the Western Hemisphere under which the dignity
and the worth of each human person will be respected and
under which all men will be afforded the opportunity to
develop their potential, to seek through gainful and
productive work the fulfillment of their aspirations for a
better life, and to live in justice and peace'';
Whereas the IAF invests in effective grassroots solutions
that promote prosperity and peace, and advance the growth of
democratic institutions;
Whereas the unique development model of the IAF, applied
through more than 5,000 community-led grants, has empowered
millions of marginalized and underserved people in the
Americas to achieve dignified livelihoods, effective civil
engagement, and safer, more peaceful, and more just
communities;
Whereas the IAF's model--
(1) has demonstrated that making direct grants to
grassroots groups and civil society organizations in
underserved and vulnerable communities is cost-effective;
(2) fosters self-reliance by requiring grantees to mobilize
local resources for their own projects and by connecting them
to networks of new partners;
(3) leverages additional resources from private and
community partners; and
(4) incentivizes broad civic engagement and local ownership
of community development;
Whereas the IAF--by investing in grassroots approaches that
create businesses, jobs, and leadership opportunities in
communities--reinforces the commitment of individuals to
strengthening their own communities;
Whereas investments made by the IAF have created an
extensive network of grassroots innovators and changemakers
who--
(1) are positively disposed to the United States;
(2) are better positioned to partner with other United
States Government agencies and other public and private
funders; and
(3) have gone on to leadership roles at the local and
national levels;
Whereas investments made by the IAF have improved the
quality of life and democracy in the Americas by
strengthening the capacity of individuals to participate in
civic life, engage constructively with their local officials,
and hold their governments accountable;
Whereas, by listening and responding to the priorities of
communities and investing in projects that utilize and
validate local knowledge and expertise, the IAF has fostered
trust and goodwill with the people of Latin America and the
Caribbean; and
Whereas the IAF's support of community-led efforts designed
to increase opportunities for development and the
strengthening of civil society and democratic governance has
advanced the national interests of the United States and
promoted democratic values across the Western Hemisphere:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) commends the Inter-American Foundation on the occasion
of the 50th anniversary of its establishment for its
significant contributions to strengthening democracy, peace,
and economic and social development in Latin American and the
Caribbean;
(2) recognizes that the bottom-up approach of the Inter-
American Foundation empowers individuals in marginalized and
underserved communities to be leaders, entrepreneurs,
innovators, and changemakers in development processes;
(3) recognizes that the Inter-American Foundation advances
the foreign policy of the United States Government and
contributes directly to the national interests of the United
States; and
(4) commits to continue to support the vital work of the
Inter-American Foundation as an independent agency.
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